VISAKHAPATNAM, Andhra Pradesh, September 22, 2026 (Journalist File) — Women farmers and entrepreneurs from across Andhra Pradesh came together in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday for a state-level conference focused on strengthening women’s economic participation, promoting organic agriculture and expanding markets for locally produced goods.
The event, held at Gaderaj Palace under the banner “Our Agriculture — Our Food — Our Health,” was organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Morcha, Andhra Pradesh, in association with the Rural Farmers Cooperative Society.
BJP state president PVN Madhav attended as the chief guest and toured an exhibition featuring products developed and marketed by women farmers and entrepreneurs. He interacted with exhibitors, reviewed organic farm products and other locally manufactured items and sought details about their production and business activities.
Agriculture and entrepreneurship
Madhav said women should expand their participation beyond agriculture into business and industrial activities, while greater attention to organic farming and local production could help generate employment in rural areas.
He called on women entrepreneurs and people engaged in self-employment to make use of financial and other forms of support available through Union government programmes.
He also stressed the importance of processing and adding value to agricultural produce, along with developing stronger marketing channels for locally manufactured products.
“When women achieve economic independence, the benefits extend beyond individual households to villages and the wider community,” Madhav said.
The conference provided a platform for women involved in farming, food-related enterprises and other small businesses to display their products and exchange ideas on expanding their activities.
Focus on local value chains
Participants discussed the potential for strengthening rural value chains by connecting agricultural production with processing, branding and marketing.
Organisers said encouraging locally produced goods and supporting women-led enterprises could help retain more economic activity within rural communities while creating additional livelihood opportunities.
Kisan Morcha state president Kumaraswamy, Padma Shri Venkateswara Rao, Ashok Kumar, Parasuram Raju, Adilakshmi, Lakshmi Sujatha, Jyothi, Virajashree, Aishwarya, Dr. Krishna, Saibaba, Murali, Srinivasa Murthy, Ramakrishna, Chandra Rao, Venkateswara Rao and others participated in the programme.
